“They gave me a second chance at life!”
– Michael Cohn
A Routine
Stress Test
Leads to
Triple Bypass
What is Cardiothoracic Surgery ?
Find out more about Cardiovascular care at Sierra Medical Center
“I was treated like a human being, I made new friends, was respected, and cared for. Dr. Desai and Dr. Pratt are both incredibly talented. They gave me a second chance at life, and I am indebted to them.”
Cohn says he would not hesitate to come back to Sierra Medical Center if he ever needs care in the future. “I tell everyone about my experience, the doctors, and the care I received,” he says. “Being here truly made a difference for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful!”
Cohn’s great patient experience would not be complete without mentioning the excellent care he received from his nurses. “They were great and all deserve A-plus-plus. You can tell they want to do their job and are happy about being there! They were responsive, caring, did not hesitate to help in any way, and got me up and walking around after surgery.”
He explains that he never felt like a number. “I was treated like a human being, I made new friends, was respected, and cared for. Dr. Desai and Dr. Pratt are both incredibly talented. They gave me a second chance at life, and I am indebted to them.”
Cohn says he had a remarkable recovery, which he attributes to the great care he had from the doctors and nursing team, as well as being in good physical shape. “I used to be on several medications, but am now down to one,” he says.
The bypass surgery was a success, and Dr. Pratt repaired Cohn’s left atrial appendage. In addition, Cohn also had a pacemaker installed during his hospital stay. “I woke up in the morning and Dr. Pratt came in for his rounds. I like that he invites family to join in the conversation,” says Cohn. “He saw I didn’t have any coffee on my tray, and I thought I couldn’t have any. But Dr. Pratt went down the hall and brought me a cup. He was very attentive and caring, and checked in on me a couple of times a day. He even came in to see me on his day off.”
Cohn was introduced to Cardiothoracic Surgeon Theodore Pratt, MD, FACS, who would be performing the surgery. “Dr. Pratt was confident and explained everything that would happen. I felt very comfortable with him, and his bedside manner was excellent,” says Cohn. “I also think it is neat that he grew up here, went to UNR, and came back here after all of his military experience.”
Surgical success
On Friday, November 3, 2023, Dr. Desai performed an angiogram in the catheterization lab on Cohn. “At first, they thought I only needed a stent, but then Dr. Desai determined that my ‘widow maker’ artery was blocked,” says Cohn. “I was a little shocked, because I had no symptoms. I had been doing level 12 on a recumbent bike, training about 6-7 times a week for the last 5 years. But they admitted me to Sierra Medical Center, an Extension of Northern Nevada Medical Center and scheduled a triple bypass for Sunday, November 5.”
Cohn was pleased with meeting Dr. Desai and set up his own appointment, at which Dr. Desai ordered bloodwork and a stress EKG. “The PA said I was doing great, and I even got to the max elevation. But after she showed the EKG to a cardiologist, they told me I needed to go to the ER,” he says.
A concerning EKG
He and his wife recently moved from the San Francisco Bay area to Reno. One of the first things they did was to look for a cardiologist for his wife, who had heart surgery when they lived in Saratoga in 2022. “By chance, my daughter donated some Pilates memberships to an American Heart Association® fundraiser dinner. She spoke with a regional VP and they recommended Interventional Cardiologist Devang Desai, MD, FACC, FSCAI, so we made an appointment,” says Cohn. Because he had not seen a cardiologist for many years, Cohn joined his wife at her appointment so he could establish a relationship.
A family connection
At 81 years old, Mike Cohn exercises every day for about an hour on his recumbent bike. After “retiring” 15 years ago, he still dabbles with work and enjoys his hobbies – following the stock market, playing bridge a few times a week, and meeting new people.
Cardiologist Devang Desai, MD, FACC, FSCAI
Cardiothoracic Surgeon Theodore Pratt, MD, FACS
Summer/Fall 2024
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Jamii Uboldi
System Director, Marketing
Helen Lidholm
Chief Executive Officer
Northern Nevada Medical Center
Jim Bradley
Chief Operations Officer
Sierra Medical Center
Information in Living Well comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos or illustrations. Any opinions expressed by an author whose article appears in this publication are solely the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Northern Nevada Health System. Physicians mentioned in this publication are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Northern Nevada Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.
©2024. All rights reserved.
Northern Nevada Medical Center
2375 E. Prater Way
Sparks, NV 89434
775-331-7000
Sierra Medical Center, an Extension
of Northern Nevada Medical Center
6500 Longley Ln
Reno, NV 89511
775-799-7320
Jamii Uboldi
System Director, Marketing
Helen Lidholm
Chief Executive Officer,
Northern Nevada Medical Center
Chris Loftus
Interim Chief Executive Officer,
Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center
Information in Living Well comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos or illustrations. Any opinions expressed by an author whose article appears in this publication are solely the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Northern Nevada Health System. Physicians mentioned in this publication are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Northern Nevada Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website. ©2024. All rights reserved.
Northern Nevada Medical Center
2345 E. Prater Way
Sparks, NV 89434
775-331-7000
Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center
6500 Longley Ln
Reno, NV 89511
775-799-7320
More Stories
Read more about strokes
Spot a Stroke
Strokes can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race or gender. Know the signs so you can act quickly.
Read more from the doctor
Ask The Doctor
If you have atrial fibrillation, you may be a candidate.
Read more about TAVR
TAVR
If you have aortic stenosis, surgery may be risky. TAVR is a less-invasive treatment option.
Summer/Fall 2024
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Spot a Stroke – FAST!
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For Dr. Pratt, caring for patients at Sierra Medical Center has brought him full circle. He is a graduate of Hug High School, the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He did his surgical residency at Baylor Scott & White, Temple, Texas, and his Cardiothoracic Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in Madison. After completing training, Dr. Pratt went on active duty with the United States Navy, finishing with 25 years of service. He is now a retired Captain in the USN (ret). “It is a gratifying experience to make a difference in the community that I grew up in; the community that gave me so much,” says Dr. Pratt.
The hometown connection
Sierra Medical Center has a seasoned cardiac operative team with many members having more than 20 years experience. This includes Dr. Pratt and Dr. Kevin Linkus, MD, FACS, FACC, cardiac anesthesiologists, perfusionists and surgical techs. During medical school, Dr. Pratt was a student of Dr. Linkus, who is a senior cardiac surgeon in the community and an integral part of the cardiothoracic surgical team at Sierra Medical Center.
The team
This surgery involves a full complement of surgical interventions utilizing some of the latest innovations to treat conditions of heart, lungs and chest.
Select each of the circles below to learn more!
What is cardiothoracic surgery?
The cardiac intensive care team rounds on all of the patients as a group, every day. This team includes cardiac nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, discharge planners, physical therapists, intensive care doctors and surgeons. Patients enjoy a universal bed system, where they stay in one room, cared for by the same team their entire hospital stay. During these rounds, family members are encouraged to join and ask questions regarding the care of their loved ones. An extraordinary aspect of this program is the support of so many team members and departments, whose goal is to keep patients and families up to date following surgery. It is truly a team effort helping people and families fully heal.
The program began in September 2022, and Program Director, Theodore Pratt, MD, FACS, stated that his surgical team had a very successful first year. They continue to surpass their stated goals, providing high-quality care for patients with complex conditions. Their primary focus is to diagnose, manage and treat heart and thoracic disease early, leading to very successful outcomes.
When Sierra Medical Center, an extension of Northern Nevada Medical Center opened in April 2022, part of the heart health plan was to provide a full range of traditional and minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgical services to the Reno, Sparks and Northern Nevada areas.
Bringing Advanced Heart Care to Northern Nevada
Cardiothoracic Surgery at Sierra Medical Center
cardio
+
thoracic
Cardio refers to elective and emergency surgery for artery disease, valve replacements, mitral valve repairs, aortic aneurysms and more.
Thoracic refers to lung resections, lobectomies, trachea surgery, thymectomy (a procedure for myasthenia gravis) and hyperhidrosis (a procedure for excessive sweating). These procedures are done using the latest innovations, such as minimally invasive surgery and robot-assisted techniques.
Back to Michael's story
Dr. Kevin Linkus, MD, FACS, FACC
Summer 2024
LivIng Well
Spot a Stroke – FAST!
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TAVR
From Stress Test to Bypass
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Summer/Fall 2024
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Spot a Stroke – FAST!
Ask the Doctor
TAVR
From Stress Test to Bypass
Letter From Leadership
Summer/Fall 2024
LivIng Well
Spot a Stroke – FAST!
Ask the Doctor
TAVR
From Stress Test to Bypass
Letter From Leadership